As part of its efforts to reduce veteran suicide rates statewide, the Arizona Coalition for Military Families (ACMF) has reached a significant milestone: the 1000th referral to its support services through the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SSG Fox SPGP).
March 10, 2025
The program, supported by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, fuels statewide initiatives designed to reduce suicide among service members, veterans, and their families. This program is administered in collaboration with the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services and the Arizona Coalition for Military Families (ACMF), reinforcing the state’s commitment to ensure that every veteran has access to vital mental health and support services.
Reaching the 1000th referral highlights the growing awareness of the Be Connected support line (866-4AZ-VETS) that is the conduit in Arizona linking service members, veterans, and their families to a vast network of resources. “Every referral represents a life touched and a step closer to ending the tragedy of suicide,” said Thomas Winkel, Director of the Arizona Coalition for Military Families. “We are gratified to see that our outreach efforts are resonating and that our military and veteran community know that in Arizona, we offer a safety net to support their unique needs.”
Key Programs Funded
Through the SSG Fox SPGP, the ACMF offers two programs at no cost to service members and veterans:
- Coaching Into Connection works to combat loneliness and social isolation by linking program participants to social activities including recreation, events and hobbies that foster meaningful connection. Participants can even receive grants to help fund activities.
- Care Transition provides case management services, resource navigation and support to service members, veterans, and their families undergoing hospitalization, or managing housing instability, justice involvement, mental health or substance use challenges.
The Be Connected Support Line (866-4AZ-VETS) remains at the heart of these efforts, offering no-cost, confidential support to align service members, veterans and their families with resources tailored to individual needs- whether that means housing assistance, career services, transportation support, financial assistance or activities that foster connection and resilience. The program has transformed lives.
To learn more about the Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program and how you can nominate someone for the Coaching Into Connection and Care Transition services, visit https://connectveterans.org/ssgfoxspgp2/ or call 866-4AZ-VETS.
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Contact:
Nicola Winkel, Project Director, nicola@arizonacoalition.org
About the Arizona Coalition for Military Families
The mission of the Arizona Coalition for Military Families is to connect the 500,000+ military members, veterans, and their families in Arizona to the right resources at the right time through the Be Connected program. The Coalition is recognized as a national leader for its ability to bring together Arizona’s public and private sector partners in a unified effort. Launched in 2009, the Coalition works nationally and locally to advocate for service members, veterans, and their families. The Coalition works collaboratively to build and sustain an Ecosystem of Support needed to sustain Arizona’s statewide capacity to care for, serve and support service members, veterans, and their families. The Coalition’s membership extends across all levels of local, county, state, and federal government as well as a vast network of private companies, healthcare providers, faith-based organizations, higher education institutions, and non-profit partners. To learn more about the Arizona Coalition for Military Families, visit ArizonaCoalition.org.
